SULTAN KUDARAT, MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE — Police arrested a 21-year-old man on Saturday afternoon after he allegedly stabbed his 17-year-old pregnant wife to death in Barangay Pinaring.

Lead investigator PEMS Elsie Maraingan told local media that authorities received a call from a concerned citizen at around 4:06 p.m. reporting a suspected domestic violence incident. Responding officers arrived to find the victim, identified only as “An,” bleeding heavily with multiple stab wounds.

The minor was rushed to the Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital for initial treatment before being transferred to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center for further care. Despite efforts to save her, she was declared dead shortly afterward.

Police immediately launched a hot pursuit operation, resulting in the arrest of the suspect, identified as Akmad Abag, a farmer and resident of the same barangay. Officers informed him of the reason for his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he understood.

Abag was brought to the police station for proper disposition as investigators prepare the criminal charges against him. Documentation is ongoing, and a written report will be submitted for the formal filing of the case, Maraingan said.